Tarrant County College trustees approved a modest property‑tax increase in early September, raising the rate to 12 cents per $100 of assessed value. The college later discovered that its original statement on the decline in taxable property values was overstated.
Corrected valuation numbers
On Sept. 28 the college announced that its certified net taxable value dropped from about $322.9 billion in 2025 to $319.1 billion in 2026 – a decline of $3.8 billion. The earlier figure of a $39 billion drop resulted from comparing two different measures of taxable value.
Board President Jeannie Deakyne said, “We have reviewed the numbers, adjusted them and are sharing that information,” emphasizing the college’s commitment to transparency for the community.
Impact on the tax rate
The corrected figures do not alter the newly adopted tax rate of 12 cents per $100 valuation, which was approved on Sept. 10. That rate is higher than last year’s 11.228 cents but remains below the 12.3108‑cent threshold that would require voter approval.
For a property with a taxable value of $100,000, the new rate adds roughly $7.72 in annual tax revenue compared with the prior year. The rate also sits above the revised “no‑new‑revenue” rate of 11.3326 cents per $100, which would generate roughly the same revenue as previous years.
Board member concerns
Trustee Laura Forkner Pritchett, the sole dissenting vote on the rate increase, said a constituent raised questions about the original figures. After reviewing the property‑value comparison and tax‑rate calculation, she asked administrators to verify the numbers.
“Taxpayers deserve information that is accurate, transparent and worthy of their trust,” Pritchett stated.
Budget context
The college cited declining taxable property values, reduced state funding, and a freeze on tuition and fees as financial pressures when trustees approved a $429.4 million operating budget in August.
In addition, TCC corrected how much property value it excluded from tax‑rate calculations for tax‑increment financing (TIF) zones. Those zones use a share of taxes generated by rising property values to fund local development projects. The college said the excluded values now accurately reflect the percentage of its taxes that contribute to each zone’s fund.
Looking ahead
The board’s prompt correction underscores its dedication to fiscal responsibility and clear communication with the taxpayers who support the college’s mission. With the revised numbers in hand, Tarrant County College can move forward on its budget and development plans while maintaining public confidence.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
